WORLD TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS: HURDLES OVER FOR 2ND-PLACE SANCHEZ.

Byline: KIRBY LEE

Special to the Daily News

OSAKA, Japan -- Felix Sanchez has won an Olympic gold medal in the 400-meter hurdles and two world championships.

The former USC star was just as overcome with emotion after finishing second in the IAAF World Championships at Nagai Stadium  on Tuesday in 48.01 seconds, his fastest time since 2005, after being hobbled by injuries.

"I showed great glimpses of my old self and no one figured I could get a medal. That was great motivation for me," Sanchez said. "I ran a great race and felt strong. It just wasn't my turn this year."

Kerron Clement of the United States won in a world-leading 48.08, followed by Sanchez, who was born in the U.S. but represents the Dominican Republic. Mark Plawgo of Poland finished third in 48.12.

Clement, running in the fourth lane, made up the stagger on Sanchez in the adjacent fifth lane after five hurdles. Sanchez was in fourth with 100 meters to go but made a strong surge late.

"I knew at that point I was running for second," Sanchez said. "That was difficult considering all that I accomplished and all the races that I had won. I had to dig down deep to finish second and that showed a lot of character."

Sanchez, a Los Angeles resident who coaches at Harvard- Westlake High, was the world's dominant hurdler from 2001-04. He won 43consecutive races enroute to the 2001 and 2003 world titles and the 2004 Olympic title but suffered injury-plagued seasons in 2005 and 2006.

Sanchez advanced to the 2005 world final despite missing training because of a calcium deposit on the on the outside of his right foot and strained left calf. He crumpled to the track around the first turn with a strained right hamstring in that race.

"Today showed that I have the heart that I had before," Sanchez said. "It's a great accomplishment. I have to be happy."

Michelle Perry of Santa Clarita, the defending champion in the women's 100-meter hurdles, is in position to win another gold medal in tonight's final. The Quartz Hill and UCLA graduate won her semifinal in 12.55. She will be joined by Ginnie Powell, the 2005 and 2006 NCAA champion from USC who placed fourth in the same semifinal in 12.67.

In the women's 400-meter hurdle semifinals, Sheena Johnson and Nicole Leach -- both from UCLA -- failed to advance.

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Kerron Clement, front, defeated Felix Sanchez in the men's 400-meter hurdles.

Francois-Xavier Marit/AFP/Getty Images